No Matter What Happens Today

November sunrise

“There is strange comfort in knowing that no matter what happens today, the Sun will rise again tomorrow.”
― Aaron Lauritsen

What an emotional month it has been. A rollercoaster with so many highs and lows. Mostly lows, to be honest.

After talking to my oncologist last week, we agreed on a treatment plan. I would be taking an Aromatase inhibitor, which would shut down the estrogen production in my body, as my cancers are hormone receptor-positive; in other words hormones like estrogen cause the cancer to grow and spread.
He also suggested what is considered a targeted therapy. Medicines called antineoplastics which also interfere with the growth of cancer cells.

I agreed to the treatments, and he informed me that the targeted therapy medications would arrive at my home in 3 weeks, as they are not dispensed by a regular pharmacy. He also spoke of side effects, some of which were quite serious and concerning, but at this point I feel like I have to do whatever I can to control the spread of the metastatic cancer. It is already in my breast, lymph nodes and both lobes of my right lung. While there is no cure, treatments can extend my life.

So while wrapping my mind around this new territory of cancer treatment, I had a previously scheduled telemed appointment with my cardiologists’ assistant yesterday. The purpose was to go over the results of my recent heart cath. We talked about the results and then switched gears to the recommended cancer treatments. He had already put in a call to my main cardiologist, as he feared that they would be too hard on my already damaged heart and he was waiting to hear back from him. We talked and after hanging up he called back within 5 minutes. The consensus is that the medications would be far too destructive to my heart at this time, and he wants me to have my aortic valve replacement done before going any further with cancer treatments.

The wheels have been set in motion, and I will be heading downstate next week for more ct’s and further testing on my heart, so that the surgeon will know the exact size valve I will need. The procedure is called a TAVR, which is an artificial valve that will be moved into place in my damaged valve. It’s a very serious surgery, but if successful, it will eliminate the need for open heart surgery.

So that’s where I’m at. I have already called a boarding kennel that isn’t too very far from home to care for Mojo while I am hospitalized. When I get a definite surgery date, I will be making reservations for Garry to stay at a motel near the hospital. I need him close by, as I will be in ICU for a couple of days, and driving from the hospital back to our home is tiring and expensive both.
I’m going to put up a few holiday decorations, do some shopping, to be sure we have plenty of food in the house before I go in for surgery, as I will be on restrictions for some time. Simple tasks will once again not be simple. Since I am in such a very rural area, we will just go into hibernation mode until it is safe for me to re-enter the world.

I trust my cardiologist with my life. He is not only a brilliant surgeon, but he is a wonderful caring human being. I know full well that there can be complications and things can always go sideways, but I have ran out of time to get this procedure done.

I cancelled many upcoming appointments with my radiologist, breast surgeon, hematologist as well as many procedures and labs. I am so very tired and my mind can only focus on one thing at a time. If my cancer has spread even further, there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it until my heart function is better. As is, my ejection fraction is only 30% and I’m dangerously close to heart failure; my heart is working too damn hard to do the few things I still am able to do.

I am so very grateful for the friends that have reached out with their good thoughts and wishes, as well as so many generous donations. I will never be able to thank you all enough, but I carry you in my heart as I go forward. I will try to update everyone when I can. Thank you for being here, just knowing you care means the world to me. xoxo
Peace.

*I have a GoFundMe account to help us afford transportation for so very many medical appointments and a mountain of medical bills. Any and all donations are appreciated as well as your good thoughts and wishes. My heartfelt gratitude to those who have made this a bit less difficult.
GoFundMe For Cancer Treatment